Friday, August 14 Iowa StateFair Highlights

DES MOINES, IA (08/14/2015)(readMedia)-- The first Friday of the 2015 Iowa State Fair is one for the books. With so much adventure and excitement to experience, here's a brief recap of what you may have missed and what to expect.

The giant pumpkin grown by David Davis of Bloomfield easily bested the competition to win the Giant Pumpkin Contest judged Friday at the 2015 Iowa State Fair.

Davis, who happens to be the Davis County Sheriff, collected $1,900 in prize money for his 1,235-pound pumpkin. Shawn Huess of Johnston claimed second place and $850 with a pumpkin weighing in at 782-pounds. Stephanie Barnes of Bondurant earned third place and $450 with a 747-pound entry. The Iowa State Fair giant pumpkin record of 1,323 was sent in 2010.

The winners of the 2015 Iowa State Fair biggest animal competitions have begun their State Fair residencies.

"Big Mac" the Biggest Boar is on display in the Swine Barn. He weighed in at 1,166-pounds. "Zeus," the 428.5-pound Big Ram, is greeting visitors to the Sheep Barn and "Sampson" the 2,893-pound Super Bull is enjoying the Fair in the Cattle Barn.

All three will remain at the Iowa State Fair through August 23.

The grossest cake creations took top honors in the Chuck E. Cheese's Ugliest Cake competition, judged Thursday at the 2015 Iowa State Fair. Cassedy Clifton of Ankeny took home first place in the General Junior category, and Hanna Bedwell of New Virginia won first in the intermediate division. For themed entries, Jadyn Niemeyer of Zering won first for the junior division, and Bedwell won the intermediate division.

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FFA Members Stomp Out Competition in Iowa State Fair Beef Championship

DES MOINES, IA (08/14/2015)(readMedia)-- FFA exhibitors competed in the Performance Beef Show judged Wednesday prior to the start of the 2015 Iowa State Fair. Entries were open to purebred, grade or crossbred market steers.

Jacob Smith, of Newton was awarded Top Showman.

Complete results below:

Choice Retail Beef - Window A

Champion: Ted Hilgerson, Elkader

Reserve Champion: Luke Orr, Elkader

Champion Produce: Luke Orr, Elkader

Reserve Champion Produce: Ashely Vanderheiden, Wheatland

Lean-Lite Beef - Window B

Champion: Dylan Golinghorst, Walcott

Reserve Champion: Lucas Looney, Wheatland

Champion Produce: Shana Hilgerson, Elkader

Reserve Champion Produce: Trevor Stevenson, Wheatland

Hotel-Restaurant Beef - Window C

Champion: Dylan Golinghorst, Walcott

Reserve Champion: Jacob Smith, Newton

Champion Produce: Ray Kurt, Cascade

Reserve Champion Produce: Jacob Looney, Wheatland

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Lookalikes and Copycats Have State Fair Crowd Seeing Double

DES MOINES, IA (08/14/2015)(readMedia)-- Fairgoers and judges saw double and triple at the annual Twins, Triplets and More contest judged Thursday on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage at the 2015 Iowa State Fair.

Complete results below:

Under 1 Most Alike

1) Anna and Brynn Kundel, Granger

2) Clinton and Judah Robinson, Altoona

3) Cash and Archer Janssen, New Virginia

Under 1 Least Alike

1) Ella and Emma Nolan, Waukee

2) Andrew and Mia Yeomar, Washington

3) James and Rosalie Mantz, West Des Moines

Age 1 Most Alike

1) Avril and Becca Shahan, Jefferson

2) Quinn and Kylie Mckillip, Ankeny

3) Keegan and Sebastian Jones, Altoona

Age 1 Least Alike

1) EllyAna and Gage Branson, Melcher-Dallas

2) Penn and Crue Phillips, Urbandale

3) Brenna and Gemma Bodin, Ankeny

Age 2 Most Alike

1) Tell and Ethan Saylor, Cambridge

2) Mary and Vivian Chaplin, Ankeny

3) Rachel and Veronica Rathjen, Urbandale

Age 2 Least Alike

1) Coe and Crew Carter, Urbandale

2) Jameson and Eden Ortner, Slater

3) Sawyer and Lydon Stephenson

Age 3 Most Alike

1) Ashlyn and Jillian Whitehead, Nevada

2) Emma and Audrey Nielsen, Des Moines

3) Brooke and Katie DeVries, Monroe

Age 3 Least Alike

1) Rayni and Rylan Lynch, Cumming

2) Henry and Ava Schaffer, Ankeny

3) Lincoln and Jordyn Schnell, Urbandale

Age 4 Most Alike

1) Bradie and Brenna Bruck, Boone

2) Jacob and Jaiden Briggs, Rockwell City

Age 4 Least Alike

1) Mason and Jackson Carter, Eldridge

2) Harper and Hadley Reed, Des Moines

3) Aiden and Caleb Heggen, Colfax

Age 5 and 6 Most Alike

1) Jenna and Nora Grovert, Shellsburg

2) Avery and Aubry Fisher, Humboldt

3) Ada and Erie Roberts, Urbandale

Age 5 and 6 Least Alike

1) Hayden and Harper Jansen, Urbandale

2) Logan and Lucas McNeeley, West Des Moines

3) Zachary and Issac Thurpe, West Des Moines

Age 7 and 8 Most Alike

1) Ethan and Evan Tollari, Altoona

2) Maxx and Jett Tyler, Des Moines

3) Aimee and Ashley Martin, Polk Cit

Age 7 and 8 Least Alike

1) Anna And Logan Vandell, Deland

2) Kerrigan and Jamesyn Guthrie, Altoona

3) Trey and Emma Cort, Carlisle

Age 9-11 Most Alike

1 )Jasmine and Georgia Padget, Keosaqua

2) Addison and Alex Zaehringier, Davenport

3) Bailey and Bella Buerger, Mitchellville

Age 9-11 Least Alike

1) Abigail, Brenna, and Callie Lindgren, Oskaloosa

2) Jillian and Tessa Kniep, Mt. Air

3) Evan, Kenna, and Launa, Rathmell, Washington

Age 12-17 Most Alike

1) Aricka and Alexis Oppman,Manly

2) Aida and Alma Alibasic, Des Moines

3) Natalie and Karlyn Parkins, Indianola

Age 12-17 Least Alike

1) Wyatt and Brianna Shannon, Milo

2) Abby and Zoee Buffalo, Tama

3) Paige and Peyton Migby, Carroll

Age 18 and Over Most Alike

1) Doug and Donal May, Woodburn and Osceola

2) Kyle and Kory Miller, Ankeny and Charteroak

3) Megan and Jessica Fooken, Minburn and Urbandale.

Age 18 and Over Least Alike

1)Patty Garland and Betty Judkins, Altoona and Pleasant Hill

2) Glen and Dawnlee Cosner, Des Moines and Osceola

3) Reba and Anna Zeller, Bode

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Iowan Artists Compete in Iowa State Fair Contests

DES MOINES, IA (08/14/2015)(readMedia)-- Ribbons were awarded to artistic Iowans in the Creative Arts contest judged prior to the start of the 2015 Iowa State Fair. Entries are on display throughout the Fair in the Patty and Jim Cownie Cultural Center, open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Complete results below:

BASKETRY

Reed or Splint

1) Maribeth Woolsey, Cedar Falls

2) Terry Dickinson-Talone, West Des Moines

Naturals

1) Terry Dickinson-Talone, West Des Moines

2) Maribeth Woolsey, Cedar Falls

3) Delayne Segar, Fort Dodge

Twill

1) Maribeth Woolsey, Cedar Falls

2) Delayne Segar, Fort Dodge

Coiled

1) Terry Dickinson-Talone, West Des Moines

2) Delayne Segar, Fort Dodge

3) Miriam Armintrout, Des Moines

Other than Named/Multi Media

1) Dick Meuler, Runnells

2) Beverly Pennell, Iowa City

Youth Class

1) Keifer Bedwell, New Virginia

2) Hanna Bedwell, New Virginia

3) Sophie Bell, Keota

Honorable Mention) Ellie Bell, Keota

BEADWORK

Handmade Beads/Pendants

1) Lody Steward, Haverhill

2) Ellen Olson, Ames

Needle Constructed Jewelry

1) Lody Steward, Haverhill

2) Janet Luing, Panora

Non Jewelry

1) Maureen Mondt, West Des Moines

2) Lody Steward, Haverhill

3) Ashley Hemphill, Polk City

Stringing

1) Lody Steward, Haverhill

2) Kris Davis Johnson, Altoona

3) Betty Shipler, Des Moines

Honorable Mention) Pamela Webster, Ames

Metal/Wire Work

1) Margaret Enright, Clear Lake

2) Janet Luing, Panora

3) Lynn Schoelerman, Des Moines

CERAMICS

Professional Glaze

1) Wynanda Ferguson, West Des Moines

Professional Stain

1) Wynanda Ferguson, West Des Moines

Nonprofessional Glaze

1) Kate Will, Des Moines

2) Audrey McKinney, West Des Moines

3) Anita Kading, Stuart

Nonprofessional Stain with Antique

1) Anita Kading, Stuart

2) Shannon Lewis, Iowa

Nonprofessional Drybrush

1) Shannon Lewis, Iowa

2) Catherine Burch, West Des Moines

Hand Thrown or Sculptured Pottery

1) Barb Vaske, Urbandale

2) Kate Will, Des Moines

3) Audrey McKinney, West Des Moines

Honorable Mention) Sophia Szakacs, Urbandale

Seasonal Decorational (other than Christmas)

1) Anita Kading, Stuart

2) Wynanda Ferguson, West Des Moines

Senior Citizen (65 or older)

1) Leroy Orth, Ames

2) Esther Hoehns, Des Moines

Technique not Mentioned

1) Wynanda Ferguson, West Des Moines

2) Taylor Manning, Waukee

3) Kate Will, Des Moines

Youth Class

1) Audrey McKinney, West Des Moines

2) Abigail Hale, Bondurant

3) Sophie Bell, Keota

Honorable Mention) Gavin Palek, Slater

OTHER CREATIVE ARTS & CRAFTS

Decorated Wreath or Swag

1) Cecelia A. Mesecher, Pleasantville

2) Leroy Orth, Ames

3) Ronda Wicks, Pleasantville

Honorable Mention) Hanna Bedwell, New Virginia

Iowa Theme Art

1) Andrea Beane, Oskaloosa

2) Ronda Wicks, Pleasantville

3) Diane Plunkett, Marshalltown

Honorable Mention) Kathy Urich, Des Moines

Dolls - Other than Porcelain or Sewn

1) Carol Brooks, Le Claire

2) CrookedCrik Craft, Dexter

3) Amanda Arthur-Struss, West Des Moines

Flower Arrangement - Dried or Silk

1) Leroy Orth, Ames

2) Paula Graham, Marshalltown

3) Cecelia A. Mesecher, Pleasantville

Holiday Decoration - Other than Christmas

1) Ed Harkema, Montezuma

2) Hanna Bedwell, New Virginia

3) Cecelia A. Mesecher, Pleasantville

Honorable Mention) Barb Miller, Prairie City

Christmas Decoration

1) Cecelia A. Mesecher, Pleasantville

2) Therese Shumacher, Readlyn

3) Marlene Youde, Polk City

Jewelry - Other than Beadwork

1) Dick Meuler, Runnells

2) Hallie Henely, Cedar Rapids

3) Steve Vincent, Des Moines

Honorable Mention) Barb Vaske, Urbandale

Gourds

1) Carl Cooper, Granger

2) Julie Hanel, Ankeny

3) Shirley Howes, Des Moines

Leather Craft

1) Pamela Webster, Ames

2) Larry Emehiser, Cedar Rapids

3) Steven Kepford, Marion

Duct Tape

1) Pamela Webster, Ames

2) Miriam Armintrout, Des Moines

3) Sara Harper, Des Moines

Honorable Mention) Tom Webster, Ames

Metal Work

1) Steve Vincent, Des Moines

2) Susan (Sue) Kirk, Davenport

3) David Lammers, Sioux Center

Miscellaneous

1) Dennis Bresson, Waterloo

2) JoDee Glover, Churdan

3) Nicole Schoelerman, Des Moines

Honorable Mention) Steve Vincent, Des Moines

Honorable Mention) Brian Howe, Granger

Honorable Mention) Carolyn Routledge, Adel

Youth Class

1) Jayden Graves, Runnells

2) Caroline Gehring, Toddville

3) Sophie Bell, Keota

PAPER CRAFTS

Photo Scrap Book Page - Fair Theme

1) Barbara O. Hoffman, Des Moines

2) Diane Plunkett, Marshalltown

3) Candis Culp, West Des Moines

Photo Scrap Book Page - Holiday Theme

1) Leanna Gerald, Des Moines

2) Diane Plunkett, Marshalltown

3) Heidi Ball, Glidden

Photo Scrap Book Page - Heritage Theme

1) Diane Plunkett, Marshalltown

2) Barbara O. Hoffman, Des Moines

3) Leanna Gerald, Des Moines

Photo Scrap Book Page - Unique Techniques

1) Carla Lane, Waukee

2) Leanna Gerald, Des Moines

3) Margaret Rockwell, Ankeny

Rubber Stamp Art - Paper

1) Sandra Kavanagh, Urbandale

2) Kathy Anthony, Pleasant Hill

3) Marlene Youde, Polk City

Rubber Stamp Art - Other than Paper

1) Heidi Ball, Glidden

2) Sandra Kavanagh, Urbandale

3) Marlene Youde, Polk City

Mini Book

1) Taylor Manning, Waukee

2) Marlene Youde, Polk City

3) Heidi Ball, Glidden

Quilling

1) Barbara O. Hoffman, Des Moines

2) Betty Shipler, Des Moines

3) Marlene Youde, Polk City

Paper Craft - Cutting/Folding/Decoupage

1) Marlene Youde, Polk City

2) Candis Culp, West Des Moines

3) Kathy Urich, Des Moines

Youth Class

1) Keifer Bedwell, New Virginia

2) Macy Snyder, Glidden

3) Rosie Penar, West Des Moines

STAINED GLASS

Original Design

1) Evelyn Garns, Van Meter

2) Rod Simpson, Ames

3) Lee Cox, Des Moines

Copper Foil

1) Kristi Zeransky, Redfield

2) Rod Simpson, Ames

3) Mike Kauzlarich, Des Moines

Lead

1) Rod Simpson, Ames

Mosaic & Fused Glass

1) Lee Cox, Des Moines

3-D (lamps, etc.)

1) Joseph Carson, Cambridge

2) Evelyn Garns, Van Meter

3) Rod Simpson, Ames

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Acts Advance in Second Day of Iowa State Fair Talent Search

DES MOINES, IA (08/14/2015)(readMedia)-- Six talented Sprout division acts (ages 2-12) have advanced to the semi-final round in Bill Riley's 56th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Thursday, August 20, Friday, August 21, or Saturday, August 22.

The names, ages, hometowns and routines of the acts are:

Lydia Fisher, 12, Wapello, Tap Dance

CiCi Chiodo, 12, Des Moines, Musical Theater Dance

Ty Stephany, 10, Altoona, Piano Solo

Jurnee Harvey, 12, Corning, Acro Dance

Emma Vetter, 12, Wilton, Tap Dance

Addison Powell, 11, Albia, Jazz/Acro Dance

Bill Riley, Jr. is once again hosting the competition. Two Sprout acts will be crowned champions every day of the semi-finals. The six winning acts will perform in the talent-packed championship set for Sunday, August 23, at 1:30 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi with media sponsor KCWI.

Each of the six Sprout Champions will receive a prize of $250 after the Championship Show. More than $16,000 will be awarded to the Senior and Sprout divisions combined. This year's contest is sponsored by Hy-Vee.

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DES MOINES, IA (08/12/2015)(readMedia)-- Photographers from around the country submitted their best work into the Photography Salon competition judged prior to the start of the 2015 Iowa State Fair.

Jerry Ranch of West Des Moines won Best of Show in the Adult competition, and Grace Long of Sheldahl won Best of Show in the Youth category.

The theme for this year's contest, "Silhouettes," asked entrants to create and capture dramatic and emotional silhouettes that would excite and inspire other photographers and visitors to the Iowa State Fair. Over 3000 entries were judged. The Photography entries will be on display on the third floor of the Patty and Jim Cownie Cultural Center each Fair day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Additional results below:

ADULT DIVISION: COLOR

Theme: Silhouettes

1) Paul Grillo, Des Moines

2) Kellie Naylor, Lincoln, Neb.

3) Lynn Midford, Portland, Ore.

People

1) Krista Long, Des Moines

2) Jennifer Swinton, Ankeny

3) Kelly Youngblut, Jesup

Iowa Places & Landscapes

1) Angie Kufner, Des Moines

2) Mirra Kudic, Grimes

3) Terri Dermody, Des Moines

USA Places & Landscapes

1) Lynn Midford, Portland, Ore.

2) Neal Westergaard, Des Moines

3) Jeanna Hegewald, Oxford

International Places & Landscapes

1) Kyle Kephart, Carlisle

2) Mike Amfahr, Indianola

3) Lori Simpson, Cedar Rapids

Things & Still Life

1) Kelly Chamberlain, West Des Moines

2) Gary Hoard, Madrid

3) Walter Fengler, Creston

Plants, Flowers & Trees

1) Barb McGraw, Ankeny

2) Jeanette Avery, Salem

3) Dwight Tomes, Grimes

Animals, Insects & Wildlife

1) Anne Olson, Muscatine

2) James W. Barnhart, Des Moines

3) Steve Schneider, Altoona

ADULT DIVISION: BLACK & WHITE

Theme: Silhouettes

1) Penny Adam, Ames

2) Warren Grant, Grinnell

3) Greg Punelli, Des Moines

People

1) Jerry Ranch, West Des Moines

2) Krista Long, Des Moines

3) Kelly Chamberlain, West Des Moines

Places & Landscapes

1) Diane Michaud Lowry, Ames

2) Rachel Ritland, Stanhope

3) Johnathon Choate, Kalona

Things & Still Life

1) Ken DePue, Grimes

2) Kaitlin Pottebaum, Bondurant

3) Don Guthrie, Fort Dodge

Plants, Flowers & Trees

1) Ken DePue, Grimes

2) Scott Strosahl, Ames

3) Harold Price, Mason City

Animals, Insects & Wildlife

1) Charlene Ferguson, Otho

2) Greg Punelli, Des Moines

3) Scott Fairbairn, Prairie City

SPECIAL DIVISION: COLOR OR BLACK & WHITE

Anything Goes!

1) Mark Cooper, Granger

2) Dave Corbett, Des Moines

3) Tim Morril, Bondurant

Toned, Tinted & Solarized

1) Dean Teeter, Urbandale

2) Nikki McDonald, Papillion, Neb.

3) Roy D Hough, Urbandale

High Dynamic Range

1) Denis Currier, Grinnell

2) Josh Quich, Bondurant

3) David Benna, Ames

Fairs, Festivals & Parades

1) Paula Maxheim, Des Moines

2) Chuck Creecy, Park View

3) Krister Strandskov, Des Moines

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

1) Liza Shoning, Des Moines

2) Harlen Persinger, Grundy Center

3) Allen Kurth, Bellevue, Neb.

Architecture

1) David Umphfleet, Pleasant Hill

2) Miksell-Branch Tracy, Grimes

3) Keith Kutz, Fort Dodge

Family Farm

1) Julie Steinkamp, Wall Lake

2) Harlen Persinger, Grundy Center

3) Brian Abeling, West Des Moines

Sports

1) Robert Rahto, Bondurant

2) Noah Smith, West Des Moines

3) Rich Abrahamson, Ogden

Panoramic

1) Scott Strosahl, Ames

2) Emmanuel Garcia, Indianola

3) Michael Stark, Marion

YOUTH DIVISION: COLOR OR BLACK & WHITE

Theme: Silhouettes

1) Sam Sadler, Huxley

2) Gabe Butler-Klein, Clive

3) Betsy Linn, Fayetteville, Ark.

People

1) Jenna Krause, Johnston

2) Grace Long, Sheldahl

3) Dane Guenther, Cedar Falls

Places & Landscapes

1) Connor Nandell, Johnston

2) Samantha Snider, Carlisle

3) Laura Steinkamp, Wall Lake

Things & Still Life

1) Kylie Morgan, Ankeny

2) Myah Shipley, Pleasant Hill

3) Grace Long, Sheldahl

Plants, Flowers & Trees

1) Kara De Bruin, Pella

2) Shealee Balmer, Des Moines

3) Izibelle Juhl, Bondurant

Animals, Insects & Wildlife

1) Brooklyn Vaske, West Des Moines

2) Sydney Lyddon, Grimes

3) Katie Oosterhuis, Des Moines

PHOTO AWARDS

Best of Color (Adult): Jeff Corcoran, Des Moines

Best of Black & White (Adult): Shane Abbitt, Ankeny

Superintendent's Choice (Adult - Color): Diane Darnielle, Des Moines

Superintendent's Choice (Adult - Black & White): Ronald Meyer, Cedar Rapids

Best of Color (Youth): Leonora James, Carlisle

Best of Black & White (Youth): Jenna Krause, Johnston

Superintendent's Choice (Youth - Color): Grant Songer, West Des Moines

Superintendent's Choice (Youth - Black & White): Alex Hoffner, Central City

The Iowa State Fair is home to the state's largest art show, largely due to the success of the Fine Arts competition that takes places each year.

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DES MOINES, IA (08/11/2015)(readMedia)-- On Monday, August 17, the Iowa State Fair will honor active and retired military throughout the day. "Nothing Compares" to the Iowa State Fair, August 13-23.

Veterans will be honored with discounted gate admission on Veterans' Day, August 17. With a military I.D., retired and active members of the armed forces and their spouses will receive $8 gate admission from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Veterans' Day will also feature special patriotic programming. Throughout the day Fairgoers can enjoy performances such as a military tribute concert honoring Iowa's veterans as well as performances by the 34th Army Band and Iowa Military Veterans' Band.

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DES MOINES, IA (08/05/2015)(readMedia)-- Fairgoers this year will love the open green space and the easier walk between the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building and the Robert G. Horner & Sheri Avis Horner Service Center. Be sure to make it a part of your "Fair Tour," August 13-23.

Thanks to a generous donation from John and Janis Ruan III, a three-phase pedestrian friendly walkway is being constructed to connect the Grand Concourse with the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center. When completed, the project will feature a boulevard area with improved utilities and access for exhibitors and vendors, framed by 20-foot walkways. The completed project also includes paved parking and expanded sidewalks.

The plan to beautify the area and improve pedestrian traffic will be implemented in several phases. Phase 1 of 3 is complete for the 2015 Fair. The project will wrap from the east side of the Varied Industries Building south, eventually connecting to Gate 10. In addition to creating a more picturesque walkway, the project also includes improved drainage and water control for Fair time vendors and off-season events.

"The Ruan family's generosity will benefit all Fairgoers and we are grateful for their support," said Peter Cownie, Executive Director of the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation. "Ruan Plaza will be an area of the Iowa State Fairgrounds we can all be proud of and generations of Iowans will enjoy."

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